Broken Hill Rural Report
Friday, January 9, 2009
Latest Report
Exploring for gas and oil in the south east
Two mining companies have been given five year licences by the state Government to explore the Otway Basin in the state's south east for gas and oil.
The basin was divided into four blocks - Adelaide Energy bought two, Cooper Energy one and a fourth failed to attract a bid.
PIRSA says the Otway Basin is known as the second most productive basin in the state behind the Cooper Basin in the far north east.
Chief executive of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy Jason Kuchel says the basin covers a substantial area.
Water accounts under review
Will Ockenden
The Murray Darling Basin Authority is launching an independent review for the River Murray, to be sure every state has the right amount of water.
They need to work out how much water is in each state and where it's being allocated.
Chief executive Rob Freeman says Government changes to water agreements have created complexity, and everything's being checked to make sure it's all fair.
Drought funding helps plan for recovery
Yesterday the state Government announced six million dollars in extra funding to help out communities during the drought.
The new money will go towards the Planning for Recovery program - so far 1 100 grants have been offered under the initiative.
Rural Financial Counselling Service operations manager Andrew Wilson says the additional funding is great news.
The funding brings the total amount from the Government towards drought relief measures to 146 million dollars.
And in other news Chris Clarke has been appointed as a Rural Community Counsellor in the mid north. Chris will be based in Jamestown and you can get in touch with him by calling 0429 665 218.
New South Wales Features
Spurs dig, chaps fly at rodeo
Cowboys and cowgirls gave it their best shot on both horse and bull in front of a crowd of thousands at the Wingham Summertime Rodeo on the NSW mid-north coast.
Cowboy up for the Wingham Rodeo
Throwing on his chaps for one of the first rodeos of year will be 2008 PBR Australian Champion Bull Rider Pete Farley.
Having a bell on Christmas
What flower did the early settlers use to celebrate Christmas? It was a red and yellow bell flower from New South Wales.
An ancient sport getting people fit
People are turning to dragon boat racing as a way to get fit and meet new people.
Second generation locust hatching
A second generation of locusts has started hatching in the Riverina.
Touring Australia's shearing history
Take a personal tour of the Errowanbang shed. Built in the late 1800s, the 40-stand shed is multi-level and still in use today.
Broken Hill's mining history captured through mineral art
Usually you'd associate minerals with making items like mobile phones, houses or cars - but what about using minerals to make art?
Healthy lifestyle plan cooked up in Goulburn
Once vandalised railway buildings in the New South Wales city of Goulburn have been given new life, as a place to learn new life skills, including healthy cooking.
Bushies Day Out at Bulga
Tales of rum drinking horses and bullock cuts to the throat make this small town rodeo legendary.
Getting the crop off before the rains
Farmers across the NSW grain belt are working around the clock to finish harvest before the rains.
